parnham



UNITED ,STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK G. FARNHAM, OF WHITE MILLS, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T() HIMSELF AND CHARLES W. DEMAREST, OF` SAME PLACE.

CARTRIDGE-LOADING IMPLEM ENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 249,464, dated November 15, 1881.

i Application filed March 10, 1881. (No model.)

i State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain .IIS

new-and useful Improvements in Cartridge a tool capable ot' automatic action b v which such shells are loaded rapidly with `the exact amount of powder orshot, the tool heilig adapted for operation with one hand.

Heretofore loading devices ot this class have `been complicated structures adapted to be screwed toa bench,'and having a holder to receive the shells one at a time foi-loading, and in consequence ot' their expense most sportsmen continue touse the old style of loading by hand with a scoop, an uncertain and inconvenient method.

l My invention consists in combining with an ammunition-reservoir and telescopic measuring-tubes an upper and lower slide or cut-off operated by a single trigger, the device being mounted on a frame having a pistol-gripe.

It consists, further, in'various details of construction and in their combinations, all as fully hereinafter described.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side View, and Fig. 2 a central longitudinal section.

In these drawings, A represents a stock or handle, having a pistol-gripe, A', either cast solid with it or secured in any suitable manner.

The handle is provided with an enlarged head, 1, and alongitudinal slot,2. On the head 1 is a rim or flange, 3, into which fits the tubular lower end of the ammunition reservoir or funnel B. The head is bored out cylindrically, as at 4, and the reservoir is provided with a shoulder which rests upon the edge of the orice.

5C is a flat plate or seat, provided Wi th flan ges Dis the external sliding measuring-tube, which is provided with a plate, 6, having upturned edges, which are screwed to the opposite sides of the head. Between this plate 6 and the plate or seat C slides the cutoff E,

having near one end a circular orifice of the samesize as the bore of the head l, at the lower end thereof. The cut-oft' E has a stop, 8, at one end, adapted to bear on the edge of the plate 6. The opposite end of the cutott' forms a guide, 10, which is ot' just sufficient diameter to slide easily in the slot 2 ofthe handle. The guide 10 is formed by bending the end ofthe slide upon itself, and a groove, 30, is swaged upon the inner face of the turned-down portion. This portion projects through the slot in the handle a short distance, as shown. Working in the slot is the upper end of atrigger, F,having draw-ringll, and which is held in its normal position at the forward end ot' the slot 2 by a sprin g, 12, contained in such slot.. This trigger is also connected to the cutoff B by aspring, 13, attached tothe groove 30, a flexible or yielding connection being necessary at this point.

p A set-screw, 34,1)assing through a sliding plate,

31, secures the trigger in the slot and permits its free movement. The forward end of the trigger bears against the turned-down end of the cut-off.

G is the interior sliding measuringtube, of slightly lessdiameter than the tube D, and adapted to telescope therewith. This tube is attached to a base, H, between which and the plate`14 slides the cut-off I, which is held in place by flanges 15 on the plate H, similar to those on the plate O. The base H is reamed out, as at 33, to give a greater range of movement to the sliding tubes. The plate 14 is rigidly secured to the base or seat H, and is provided with an arm, 16, which passes up and is adj ustably secured to the head 1 of the machine by a clip, 17, and set-screw 1S.

Near the outer end of cut-oli' I is an orifice, 19, similar to that in the cut-oi E. The inner end of Iis turned up at right angles, and is adjustabl-y secured to the trigger F by means of a set-screw, 20, passing through a slot, 21, in the cutoff. To the base H is secured a funnel, J, adapted to enter the shell. The inner tube is thus permitted to slide within the outer by loosening the set-screws 1S 20, a pointer,

22, on the arm 16 indicating their relativeI pol sitions. The stationary tube D is provided with a graduated scale indicating on one side the amount of powder to the charge, on the other the amount of shot. The movement of the trigger operates both cut-offs simultaneously.

In operatin g the device the reservoir is iilled with either powder or shot, the set-screws -18 20 loosened, and the tubes adjusted, the space between the two cut-ott's containing just the amount of powder indicated by the register.

The device is operated very conveniently in connection with an improved loading-board, for which I obtained Letters Patent on the 9th day of November, 1880, wherein the shells are held in a frame, ready for loading; but when that or a similar device is not used the tool is taken in the right hand, the shell being held in the left. The powder from the reservoir runs into the tubes through the opening in the cut-oi'aud falls upon the lower cut-oft'. The trigger is then pulled buck, cutting oft' the flow of powder from the reservoir and bringing the opening in the cut-oft' I to register with the funnel J, permitting the powder to run into the shell. 'lhe triggeris then released, returning the parts to their former position, the tubes becoming charged again in readiness for the next shell.

It is evident that the device may thus be operated very rapidly with one hand. The spring 13 is of such stiffness that it will not yield uutil the stop 8 bears on the plate 6 and stops the cut-oft.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In a loading implement, the combination of a stock or handle, a reservoir, and measuring-tubes mounted upon such stock or handle, the trigger F, the cut-oft' E, connected to such trigger b v the spring 13, the cut-oit I, and the spring 12.

2. In combination, the slotted handle, the trigger F, the upper cut-off, E, flexibly connected to such trigger, the stop 8, and the lower cut-oft', I.

3. The sliding tube G, carrying the lower cutoft', I, provided with slot 21, in combination with the adjustable arm 16, the trigger F, Yand the set-screw 20.

In testimony whereot'l have signed my name to this specifica-tion in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

F. G. FARNIIAM.

Witnesses:

F. C. FARNHAM, F. W. FARNHAM. 

